I was beyond jumping up and down excited when the awesome crew at creativeLIVE called me a couple months ago to ask if I’d host their first and only BOUDOIR WORKSHOP! Sitting on this awesome news since then has been torture, and now I’m thrilled to finally share it with you!
Now, in case you’re not already familiar with the company, creativeLIVE is the brainchild of Chase Jarvis, bad ass commercial photographer, and provides the best creative education on the web – for FREE – and is broadcast LIVE, available for anyone around the world to watch in realtime. Isn’t that crazy awesome? You get a ringside seat to all the action on Feb 10th, 11th & 12th – LIVE from their studio in Seattle, where I’ll be shooting/teaching/hosting a very sassy and sexy BOUDOIR WORKSHOP!
To learn more, CLICK PLAY on the video above.
I would so appreciate your help in making this event even more awesome, in two ways:
1. In the Comments below, tell me what you’d LOVE to learn or see during this workshop.
2. Join me in Seattle! CLICK PLAY to learn more about this unique and totally cool opportunity for 6 photographers to join me for free in the studio and be an integral part of this workshop. I want to see entries from ALL LEVELS and types of photographers (total newbies and seasoned pro’s, digital/film, men/women, canon/nikon) I look forward to seeing all your videos!
Thanks so much to YOU, my awesome blog readers, who bombarded creativeLIVE with requests to see me teach there. I am so honored, grateful and humbled – and I’m freaking psyched to provide a super fun, sexy and smart workshop for you come February.
Lots of love,
Christa
ps. make sure to ENROLL FOR FREE right now on the course page so you don’t miss out.
I would like to learn how to be more confident and make that jump into starting my own business. I know that the confidence has to come from within me, but I am sure you know some ways of bringing that confidence out.
Tony, that’s SUCH a great request, and yes! confidence is essential and I’ve got some tips there :)
See ya online in Feb!
Thanks so much,
Christa
I would love to see how you use light and shadows to make your images, honestly exquisite. I would SOOOO love to be in Seattle for this. But I can watch from home. You rock for doing this and Creative Live has helped an unnumberable amount of artists/hobbyists/people who own cameras to get more out of their images.
Thanks Bill! and you got it!
Wow.. Congrats Christa! creativeLIVE rocks and they are lucky to have you! As always, I enjoy learning your helpful techniques and insight on how to capture emotion and will be sure to tune in!
This is awesome!!! I would love to learn how to define my ideal client and techniques on finding them. In addition, I would like to learn how to bring out the best smiles in every client. Add a touch of info about lighting and I will have a head start! This is great, I can’t wait to tune in.
Tru
You got it Tru! I love talking about attracting your Ideal Client, finding flattering light, and getting those genuine happy faces :) see ya in Feb!
I’m mostly hoping to get some great advice on pricing and finding clients who can pay my prices, but I’m going to be glued to my computer for the entire three days. (I’ll be soaking up every bit of lighting and posing advice you offer, and if you can give ideas for getting varied expressions, you’ll make me a very happy girl!)
I’ll be submitting a video if I can get my client stuff wrapped up in time to let me make one, but I told my husband to pretend I’m in Seattle for those three days, whether you pick me or not.
Carole,
“Getting varied expressions” is in particular a great Q! thanks!
Make sure you do your video – no excuses! I’ll be on the look out for it…
xo Christa
Well, if you aren’t allowing any excuses, and you’re waiting for it, I guess I’ll HAVE to do it: I can’t stand to disappoint people! : )
Okay, I did it! (My husband went to bed without me, but I did it! lol)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNLxXHc-hgo&feature=youtu.be
I would like to hear about any psychology in your approach to working with models, both pro and amateur and if its different. Thx!
That’s an awesome Q, and it is very different, so thank you Thomas!
Thanks so much for doing this. I love creative live! I only wish that I was going to be in the Seattle area to see it in person. I’d love to hear more about posing, lighting, and marketing. Particularly for the older woman. It seems that all of my clients are in their 50′s! Being around that age myself, I’m pretty good at making them comfy and good feeling, but posing is a weak point.
Sandra,
Thanks for the comment and Q’s. Posing is no prob when you don’t think of it as Posing :) More on that during the workshop!
xo Christa
Can’t wait to participate in your on-line course on creativeLive! I read through your blog and have to compliment your work – it’s amazing! If I ever come to NY, I will contact you for my own boudoir session :)
Congratulations, that is so exciting! Can’t wait for the workshop!
I’m very excited for your workshop Christa. I will submitting my video to try and be there in person =) I’m sure your agenda will cover more than we will be able to absorb in three days, but I’m really interested in the lighting, posing and post production! Thanks for sharing your talents with us.
Yay! How great!! I would love to know how you handle the conversation about comfort level with nudity, then how that translates into the in-person energy that sometimes inspires previously modest clients to push their boundaries and go for more revealing images. Thanks, Christa!!
Betsy,
Ooooooh, that’s a juicy question! It’s a bit controversial too, which I love. I can’t wait to dig deep into this topic during the workshop!
Thanks Betsy!
C
just signed up! heehee!
Congrats Christa!!! That is so exciting!!! I’m excited & jumping up & down for you to. Love your hair to by the way :) Rock it out Christa
Congratulations Christa! This post has made my day!! I am sooo excited, I can’t wait. I wanted to participate in your online worskhop but was unable to do so. I want to know more about lighting and how you can portray different moods using limited lighting equipment. I also want to learn more about making the client comfortable so they can relax and let their true personality show.
I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!!! :))))
I’ve been blasting CL for over 6 months to have you host a course with them and here you are!!!
Congrats :)
What a great opportunity. Got to go and do my video!!!
Hi! Thanks so much for offering this! I am VERY new to boudoir photography, and I am interested in learning simple lighting and posing to flatter different body types. I am concerned that I will spend too much time changing setups during my sessions.
I’m so excited! I can’t wait!
I’ve enrolled, I can’t wait :)
I would love to win a seat on behalf of AIBP, so I can give it as a prize to our next challenge, which will be announced when you tell me I’ve won a seat to give away :-) While I’d LOVE to win one for myself, I’m crazy busy with the biz, & kids’ school schedules, so it isn’t possible for ME to go. I’m so sad about this. However, AIBP loves you, Christa, & we would be honored to have a seat! We have just awarded our first “Best in Show” contest yesterday & the recipient won $500 cash, & we hope to continue the love & keep boudoir ALIVE & THRIVING! It deserves to be seen, & the image-makers deserve to be recognized. Okay long comment… sorry!
BTW, I also think I should win a seat because I was DE-activated from Facebook after posting one of your fabulous collages to promote your workshop… a little too much skin for someone, & I was reported. Lame-O! I wrote to some people & thankfully was re-instated, but sheesh! People should feel so blessed to be ABLE to look at your work :-) xoxo, Erin Zahradka (Boulder/Denver)
Dear Christa,
I have just discovered you and I’m in love!! I can not wait for your 3 day event – I’ll be glued to every minute of your course. I’ve just spent some time on your website and your work is incredible! I’ve been photographing women, brides and babies for the last few years and have just recently started my own boudior photography business (Belle-Vous Photography). I mean I don’t even have my website up yet! How perfect is the timing!?
Congratualtions on your gig with Creative-Live. I love, love, love Creative Live – such a priceless education for photographers on all levels.
I hope you’ll be spending time on posing the curvey, larger woman, and the older woman. I want all my clients to feel sensual and beautiful and I want them to see that beauty in their portraits.
I’ve cleared my calendar for Feb. 10, 11 & 12th!
See you then!
Terri Cannon
What a thrill to see your fabulousness on Creative Live, Christa–
I’ll be one of your Valentines that weekend!
xoxox
So beyond excited to tune in to your CL workshop… can’t wait!!! :)
Christa, will the sessions be recorded and made available for online viewing by registrants after the fact for those of us with day jobs that can’t watch live? Looking forward to learning more about low-key lighting and strong shadows/silhouettes. Best of luck and congratulations!
Jason, if you click through to CreativeLive, there’s info on the site. If you KNOW you want to buy the videos, you can do so for $99 before the workshop, or $149 once it has started. : )
Just found out you were doing a workshop at CL! {and just discovered YOU recently too}. Love your work! I just did my first boudoir shoot and loved it, so much in fact I really want to add it to my repertoire. This workshop really came at the right time as I am just fresh in business myself and boudoir in particular. I cannot wait to delve into this wholeheartedly.
Joanna
Thanks so much for putting up the CL workshop. I’ve already book the day for it!
How do we get the shy clients to open up? I love the fun in the moment laughing shots.. and try to get them out of all of my clients..
I reaaaalllllyyy need to overcome my severe confidence issues… people tell me that my photography is fantastic.. and so many people want me to do shoots for them… but i always panic and say no i cant or make up some excuse to get out of it…. that is not how i want to be.. i want to over come my fear (of whatever it is i’m afraid of) and become more confident…and shine – i would love to know if you have any advice !! :)
I’m in! As a huge fan of the CreativeLive concept, I’m totally jazzed for your upcoming boudoir course offering! I kind of echo Patricia Wells’s comment above. I am complete amateur with professional aspirations (well, not as a career — but technique/ability). In any case, I would love to know how to simply get started in boudoir photography. If armed with only my dSLR camera, a few lenses, and a speedlight, how can I accomplish a professional-looking boudoir shoot? At this point, I’d prefer not to invest in extra speedlights, softboxes, umbrellas, etc.? I’d like to use one flash, combined with ambient, to achieve the goal. If you can cover the ‘simple’ as part of your CreativeLive agenda, it would be most appreciated! Good luck with the workshop!
First I hope I don’t offend you or anyone with my question/comment but I figured I’d put it out there. As I tend to feel if I’m thinking it so are others. I’m a pure amateur, a male who enjoys the human form. As you say you are a self-described sensualist. You do both Boudoir and artistic nudes. Perhaps you have simply learned to ignore those who would say you are just continuing the further objectification of woman as sex objects and providing material that to be honest many boyfriends and husbands are going to us for sexual fantasy and masturbation. I guess I’m interested in how as a woman you deal with this with critics and clients. And for men who want to get into the field how do you think they can get around the perception they are just a bunch of “pervs”
Dang! I live so, so far!
I’ll watch online, tho. Thats awesomeness a-plenty!
Hi Christa, I constantly overload myself with Anything Boudoir searches, photos, sets & photographers and I ALWAYS find myself coming back to your site! I absolutely love your work: “effortless sexiness”!! So classic, clean, creative. I’m in love, your work makes me want to stop doing everything and just focus on boudoir!! thank you for the inspiration ;)
OH MY GOODNESS, I can’t wait for this!!! Go Christa!! xoxo
Christa, I so wanna see you in action using that infamous video light :)
Congrats! And thanks a bunch!
Hi Christa,
You inspire so much! I took your online boudoir course in the summer, while I was traveling in the UK, thats how excited I am about what you have to teach! I learned so much, but of course have more questions for you, especially about the business side of things. I am still in photography school and will graduate in June 2012. So I’m ready get to get my business started. After taking your course I shot boudoir for my website and had a blast! I used all your tips and the women say that they felt sooo comfortable, yeah! My website is finally up but now to get the marketing etc, that part that I do not like, so I need this workshop so much. I am doing the video and praying that you choose me to attend so I can kick off my business with a bang!
Christa!
I am in Whidbey Island, just right up the road from Seattle, I would LOVE to attend this event! If we are not picked for the chance to attend for free will tickets be available for the class?
Victoria,
Make sure to submit your vid! Everyone and anyone is invited to watch us LIVE for FREE online if you’re not selected to join us in the studio.
Good luck!
Christa
I’d greatly appreciate any tips on making the leap/transitioning/establishing to a full time, sustaining business. How do you market, price, reinvest, etc.
In regard to specific clients, how do you quickly build relationship and trust, to achieve the relaxed images? Additionally, any advice you have for male photographers to that end as well.
Thank you!
Would love to see Christa talk about the pre-session meetings and discussions with the clients. How does Christa handle different genders differently. How to brand and market for this genre, and how does Christa produce the most flattering imagery for different body/face types.
Also, what about cases where the client is not happy with the end result? Ie, common pitfalls to avoid and good customer service tips when the client is unhappy, either during the session(jitters/discomfort/etc) or after the session.
Thanks! Looking forward to your creative live session!
Wing Tang Wong Photography
Just a little brain dump on some topics..
esp revolving around getting started
wardrobe: do you own or have clients bring their own.. do you recommend types of clothing than others.
Location: do you offer to do the shoots within their own home for comfort or at studio, if you dont have a studio what are options that dont seem creepy, hotel etc
Not sure if this is a topic that you can address, I’m a guy and not a woman, im a professional photographer but I would think being a guy would put uneasy tention on the shoot esp when your dealing with someone not too comfortable. How do you ease a client into the experience of doing it?
Maybe a look back on how you got into the business, the pitfalls of just starting etc. Also maybe a basic list of things you need right away compared to wants after you have built a cliental.
Deliverable: are you providing a book or prints? do you offer both. What seems to be the best deliverable that you offer.
sorry for the brain dump
Thanks in advance, cant wait till the workshop!!!!
Great questions and thoughts Chris…I’m right there with you with most of what you’re “brain dumping”. ;)
Eek! I am so excited about this! I really, really hope you cover studio lighting pretty in depth … it’s something that I have pretty limited knowledge in. If you covered a little bit about OCF, I’d love you forever (and ever). And marketing … And pretty much ANYTHING you want to share! <3
Cant wait to see you rock your gorgeous shoots on Creative live miss. Then I’ll see you in Vegas and hopefully get to meet you live.
As an amateur enthusiast wanting to grow in this field – I would love to know more about posing various body curves and assit the ladies to have fun and find a sense of empowerment and love thyself!
Sooo excited! You and Chase are incredibly awesome. Thank you so much!
Yikes, where do I begin? I’ve been involved in the photographic arts for many years, but only recently decided to follow my heart and take the professional leap. Fate led me to your 6 week online workshop, and now I find myself completely consumed with learning every aspect of boudoir. Sooooo excited about the CL workshop, and so excited for you! What I would most like to learn is how to work with different size/age women……lighting, most flattering camera angles for different body types, techniques for encouraging those in-between WOW moments when the true inner beauty comes flooding through, any tips that would enhance and hone my own personal style. I tend to let my sessions flow where they will, but I would like to feel more confident in subtly moving the session along when need be.
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and experiences. Off to figure out how to post a video!
You’re becoming a rockstar! Congrats…I’m really excited for you. I hope you have a great time in Seattle.
When are you giving a boudoir workshop in NYC?
I just submitted my video! Would love to join you in Seattle and if not, of course I will be glued to my computer watching! I can’t wait to see your workshop in this format and I am excited to learn more about posing and creative lighting. Thanks for this!
Just posted my video. Nothing like procrastination! O’well. In the free workshop I hope to learn about what I can do to push myself creatively. Also, I want to learn about working with different types of women. I would also like to learn about get the best out of my clients when they are doubting themselves. I want to be an inspiration to the other newbies out there too.
I just submitted my video!!! Eeeek! I can’t wait for this workshop!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DElHL63dKvY
Hi Christa,
I would love to learn how to take it to the next level, how to properly show and price my art! I know how worth it I am but my confidence level its lower than it should be for an Artist!!
Also would love to learn how to work more with Curvy girls! Help them see how beautiful they are no matter what!
Thanks for this awesome workshop opportunity!
Ok so this is beyond exciting!! And I am crossing my finger and toes in hopes of being chosen! Only I can’t figure out if my “tweet” has gone through? It hasn’t been posted on the Creative live site and I just opened an account yesterday so really it could be user error. I just want to make sure my video’s in the pool ;) Any suggestions?
Hi again! One more suggestion for the CreativeLIVE workshop. Some of us, I’m sure, are shooting on a cropped sensor body. As such, it would be nice to hear your recommendations (specifically regarding lenses) when shooting boudoir on something other than full frame. Thanks! :)
I sang you my request :)
I’d love to be there and learn from you! Particularly about shooting to sell, and how to actually make money doing what I love!
take me to Seattle with you!
Hey Christa! Can’t wait to hear you speak again. LOVE your approach to teaching.
My question that you asked me to put on here has to do with copycats. I can’t say that I’ve been copycatted on my images(or at least I don’t pay attention), but I have been copycatted on my branding and few other things that seem crazy to me when you are selling yourself. My question is more, how do you handle copycats? What would you tell photographers if there were 2 copycats of an image you did living in the same area (not in your area necessarily). Can’t wait to hear the answer.
Katie
Just watched your 3 day set on Creative Live and just want to say a huge thank you – I laughed at your comment about ref people hanging around your web site – I have your site on one of my tabs and check it daily. A true inspiration and have alot of notes written down. Just want to say thank you for doing the course – Ken